Statutory Instruments
2019 No. 1162
Local Government, England
The Oxford (Electoral Changes) Order 2019
Made
24th July 2019
Coming into force in accordance with articles 1(2) to (4)
Under section 58(4) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009(1) (“the Act”) the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(2) (“the Commission”) published a report dated February 2019 stating its recommendations for changes to the electoral arrangements for the city of Oxford. The Commission has decided to give effect to the recommendations.
A draft of the instrument has been laid before Parliament and a period of forty days has expired since the day on which it was laid and neither House has resolved that the instrument be not made.
The Commission makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 59(1) of the Act.
Citation and commencement
1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Oxford (Electoral Changes) Order 2019.
(2) This article and article 2 come into force on the day after the day on which this Order is made.
(3) Articles 3, 4 and 6 come into force—
(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;
(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England(3) in 2020.
(4) Article 5 comes into force—
(a)for the purpose of proceedings preliminary or relating to the election of councillors, on the day after the day on which this Order is made;
(b)for all other purposes, on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2022.
Interpretation
2.—(1) In this Order, “the map” means the map marked “Map referred to in the Oxford (Electoral Changes) Order 2019”, held by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England(4).
(2) Where a boundary is shown on the map as running along a road, railway line, footway, watercourse or similar geographical feature, it is to be treated as running along the centre line of the feature.
Wards of the city of Oxford and number of councillors
3.—(1) The existing wards of the city of Oxford are abolished.
(2) The city of Oxford is divided into the 24 wards listed in Schedule 1.
(3) Each ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the ward.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each ward is two.
Elections of the city of Oxford
4.—(1) Elections of all councillors for each ward of the city of Oxford are to be held simultaneously on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2020.
(2) The councillors holding office for any ward abolished by article 3(1) immediately before the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2020 are to retire on that fourth day, and the newly elected councillors are to come into office on that fourth day.
(3) Of the councillors elected for a ward in 2020, one is to retire on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2022 and one on the fourth day after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2024.
(4) Of the councillors elected in 2020, the first councillor for each ward to retire is to be the councillor elected by the smallest number of votes.
(5) In the case of an equality of votes between any persons elected which makes it uncertain which of them is to retire in any year, the person to retire in that year is to be determined by lot.
(6) If an election of councillors for any ward is not contested, the person to retire in each year is to be determined by lot.
(7) An election to replace a councillor who is to retire under paragraph (3) is to be held on the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in the year in which the retirement is due to take place, and any newly elected councillor is to come into office on the fourth day after that day.
(8) Where under this article any question is to be determined by lot, the lot is to be drawn at the next practicable meeting of the council after the question has arisen and the drawing is to be conducted under the direction of the person presiding at the meeting.
Wards of the parish of Blackbird Leys
5.—(1) The existing wards of the parish of Blackbird Leys are abolished.
(2) The parish of Blackbird Leys is divided into the two parish wards listed in the first column of table 1 in Schedule 2.
(3) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of table 1 in Schedule 2.
Wards of the parish of Littlemore
6.—(1) The existing wards of the parish of Littlemore are abolished.
(2) The parish of Littlemore is divided into the three parish wards listed in the first column of table 2 in Schedule 2.
(3) Each parish ward comprises the area identified on the map by reference to the name of the parish ward.
(4) The number of councillors to be elected for each parish ward is the number specified in relation to that ward in the second column of table 2 in Schedule 2.
Sealed with the seal of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England
Jolyon Jackson
Chief Executive
Local Government Boundary Commission for England
24th July 2019
Article 3
SCHEDULE 1Wards of the city of Oxford
1. Barton & Sandhills
2. Blackbird Leys
3. Carfax & Jericho
4. Churchill
5. Cowley
6. Cutteslowe & Sunnymead
7. Donnington
8. Headington
9. Headington Hill & Northway
10. Hinksey Park
11. Holywell
12. Littlemore
13. Lye Valley
14. Marston
15. Northfield Brook
16. Osney & St Thomas
17. Quarry & Risinghurst
18. Rose Hill & Iffley
19. St Clement’s
20. St Mary’s
21. Summertown
22. Temple Cowley
23. Walton Manor
24. Wolvercote
Articles 5 and 6
SCHEDULE 2Names of parish wards and number of councillors
Table 1
Wards of the parish of Blackbird Leys
(1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Blackbird Leys | 7 |
| Greater Leys | 7 |
Table 2
Wards of the parish of Littlemore
(1) Name of parish ward | (2) Number of councillors |
|---|---|
| Bodley Road | 2 |
Littlemore Sandy Lane West | 13 1 |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order makes changes to electoral arrangements for the city of Oxford following recommendations made by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The area of the city remains unchanged. The changes made by this Order apply in respect of local government elections held on and after the ordinary day of election of councillors in England in 2020.
Article 3 abolishes the existing electoral wards of the city of Oxford and replaces them with 24 new ones. It establishes the names and areas of the new electoral wards and the number of councillors for each.
Article 4 makes provision for a whole city council election in 2020. Subsequently, the council will revert to the existing system of election by halves. That article also provides for the order of retirement of councillors in 2022 and 2024 and the election of their replacements.
Articles 5 and 6 makes changes to parish wards which are consequential to the changes made by article 3.
The area covered by each ward created by this Order is identified on a map which is available for inspection at reasonable times at the offices of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0TL.
The map may also be accessed at http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-east/oxfordshire/oxford
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England was established on 1st April 2010 by section 55(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
The ordinary day of election of councillors in England is prescribed by section 37(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2), as amended by section 18(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50) and section 6(16) of the Wales Act 2017 (c. 4).
Prints of the map are available for inspection at reasonable times at the principal office of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, 1st Floor, Windsor House, 50 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0TL. It is also accessible online at http://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/south-east/oxfordshire/oxford